Process for the reinforcement of gas-mantles of the incandescent type for illuminating purposes.



G. T, HADLEY. V PROCESS FOR THHRBINFORGEMENT 0P G-AS'MANTLES or THE INGANDESGENT TYPE FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES. APPLIOATIION FILED DEG. 1, 19l3.

l mmwo maimed m. 5, 1915 EF/WWA.

WITNESSES IN V E GEORGE '1, HADLEY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS FOR THE REINFORCEMENT 0F GAS-MANTLES 03 THE INCANDESCENT TYPE FOR ILLUMINATING PURPOSES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 5, 1915..

Application filed December 1, 1913. Serial No. 804,130.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GnoRenT. HADLEY, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Processes for the Reinforcement of (ias-Mantles of the Incandescent Type for Illuminating Purposes, of which the following is a specification.

-My invention relates to the class of processes for the reinforcement of gas mantles of the incandescent type for illuminating purposes. Its object is to increase the durability, and thereby prolong the life and service of the mantle.

My invention consists in reinforcing the weakest or most vulnerable portions of the mantle with aluminum, the metallic aluminum being reduced to a non-fusible non-combustible metallic matte by the action of a carboniferous reducing agent when heat is applied. This matte is composedlargely of carbonized aluminum and by the oxidizing heat of combustion, a very slow, natural oxidation of the exposed edges of the matte takes place during the life of the mantle, the retarding of which measures the utility of the deposit as a metallic reinforcement. It has a very wide latitude in its qualities of expansion and contraction adapting it for combination with materials of a diiferent character, without the rupture or disintegration which would otherwise be. evident in such combinations when subjected differences in temperature.

Reference to the accompanying drawings will indicate the particular portions of the upright and inverted mantles amenable to my process of reinforcement. I

Figure 1 is a side elevation partly broken away, of a mounted upright mantle, showing the application of my reinforcing process to both ends. of the mantle, and its relation with the metal cap. Fig. 2 is a View showing the application of my process solely to the lower portion of the upright mantle. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation partly broken away, of an'mverted mantle, showing its reinforcement at and around the mantle ring and binding cord.

Of Fig. 1, the numeral 1 indicates the body portion or walls of the mantle, at 2 and 3, I have indicated the reinforced portions, 4 isthe usual form of metal cap-deto great at 3 should be of extent taking up approximately half the perpendicular space there may be in that portion of theskirt ofthe mantle extending below the gauze 5 when the mantle is in pendent position on its support. This is to allow for the shrinkage that usually takes place in the mantle in course of everyday use, and which if not provided for, would gradually bring the reinforced portion above the top of the cap, any such encroachment would diminish the luminous field to a like extent.

The form shown in Fig-2, includes the reinforcement of the lower portion of the mantle only. This form of reinforcement would be of special utility in the cheaper grades of mantles, or in a light weight mantle not likely to sag with its own weight during combustion.

In Fig. 3, I show the application of my process to the inverted mantle; 7 indicates the usual magnesia ring common to the inverted mantle, 8 the binding cord, and at 9 have indicated the reinforcement at and around the mantle ring and binding cord.

- My aluminum process of reinforcement and its application in practice, may be described as follows: The metallic aluminum may be carbonized before its application to the mantle, and may then be applied to the parts by the use of any liquid medium suitable for the purpose; however, in its preferred form the process provides for the carbonization of the aluminum after its application to the mantle, by ignition, either by design or by the usual ignition of the mantle when put in combustion. In the latter method the form of metallic aluminum most suitable and that preferred aluminum powder, commonly known in the decorative arts as aluminum bronze. To the aluminum powder may be added any gum or resin, or a combination of them, sufliciently, rich in carbon to act as a reducing flux for the aluminum when heat is applied, a suitable-combination for. the purpose may being i I consist of gum turpentine and caoutchouc equal parts, to which may be added sufficient chloroform toact as a solvent and merger, the desired consistency being obtained by the addition of a quickly drying dilutent, such as naphtha or benzin.

The proportion of reducing agent re-' num powder employed, by weight, to which may as added suflicient dilutent to produce the consistency desired, the latter depending upon the weight of deposit, or thickness, of the resulting matte required. However, the preparation should be sufficiently liquid to enter the fabric of the mantle, thoroughly permeating the fiber with the aluminum. 1 The prepared aluminum may be applied to the parts of the mantle to be reinforced, either before the mantle is collodionized, or after, either by dipping or by other means found convenient and most suitable.

If'the aluminum is applied totlie mantle before the mantle is collodionized, the mantle 'maythen be collodionized or dipped into its usual protective bath, or, the reinforced portions, (which before ignition are inflammable) may be ignited, and the superficial carbon, deposited on the mantle by the flames of the reducing agent, may be removed"by re-ignition over a Bunsen tube,

and the mantle then collodionized. The ad-' vantage of this procedure lies in thereduction to a minimum, of the smokeproduced when the mantle is first ignited by the consumer. However, by this prior ignition, the

beautiful silverlike appearance of the part reinforced is lost to a large extent, due to the aluminum being reduced to a matte, and if appearances are sought at the expense of the consumer, expense, by reason .of the inevitable smoke imposed,) the non-ignition method is much to be preferred.

The light producing qualities. of the incandescent gas mantle, are seldom exhausted before the fabric of the mantle has been shattered or ruptured by other means than those due to combustion. This applies to the different forms of gas mantles constructed of fibrous materials, including the upright mantle,-which is commonly called the cap mantle and the inverted type of mantle. The weakpoints, or the particular portions most subject to premature disintegration, and the general causes therefor, may be to a considerable extent defined as fo lows: A

frequent cause of destruction in the cap mantle, is the abrasion of the skirt, or free end of the mantle, by its contact with the metal cap. This is most noticeable in street lights Where the lamps are subjected more or less constantly to vibration caused by air currents. Hanging lamps and chandeliers also subject the mantles to movement and vibration. A reinforcement of this portion of the mantle prevents abrasion and materially adds to its longevity. Another cause of early destruction in the cap mantle is the breakage of the fibers of the upper portion of the mantle immediately below the loop, and also at or near the terminals of the small folds formed by the draw string. This breakage is mainly caused by the weight of the suspended mantle and the impinging gas. At a white heat the mantle fiber is very soft and gives way under'the double strain. The proper reinforcement of this portion of the mantle, reduces the breakage at this point to a minimum.

In the inverted mantle the portion most frequently affected is at or near the mantle ring. This is partly due to the difference in expansion and contraction of the mantle fiber and binding cord and the mantle ring. The variation in tension frequently cutting the mantle fiber or breaking the cord, the mantle soon leaving the ring. In addition to this the entire weight of the mantle, and practically all the vibration to which the mantle may be subjected, is concentrated at this point. A proper reinforcement in this part, including in its scope the binding cord by which the mantle is bound to the mantle ring, results in greatly increased durability of the mantle. It is pertinent, that in the reinforcement of the inverted mantle, the permeating and adhesive qualities of the aluminum process as here set forth are of particular utility in effecting a perfect union between the mantle and the mantle ring, practically sealing the mantle to the ring and partaking of the qualities of expansion and contraction of both when heat is applied, without rupture. This is noticeable to the extentthat only for the convenience it affords in placement of the mantle, the binding cord could be dispensed with entirely, the aluminum matte unassisted forming an efficient binder.

\ Any reinforcement of the inverted mantle below the mantle ring to neutralize the impingement of the gas, should be of a very light nature. Any considerable amount of the non-candescent material would encroach on the lighting field. This can be partly overcome by salting the aluminum reinforcement with the salts of incandescence.

I do not wish to be limited to the application of the process, at any particular stage of the process of manufacture either of the mantle or of the process itself, for it is evident that the aluminum could be converted to any of the forms included in the process, before its application, and afterward. applied to the arts with practically the same re sults. he process being largely metamor- 1 principally by its ready and uniform com- I igieaeee phic in its nature, practically recludes its limitation to one particular crux of. the metal, the natural ignition and combustion of the mantle changing the metal to other forms automatically, the first of which may be termed carbonized aluminum.

The particular form of carbon employed in the process may be said to be governed inning qualities when mixed with the alumi v num' and a suitable fluid medium for the purpose of its application to the mantle.

An of the carbons or carboniferous materia s such as charcoal, graphite, guncotton,

or any of the volatile carboniferous oils con- 4 taming sufiicient carbon, are available, and When properly combined With the metallic aluminum serve the required purpose. Nor

do I Wish to be circumvented by an aluminum process containing low percentages of other metals, because 1t is common for commercial aluminum (which is always in a more or less impure s ate) to contain small" .vertently or otherwise modified, Without departin from its principle or its ultimateefiect, 5 Wish to be protected in the process mane at am artar may at trainee at: are ceuta'enoh, by addressing the commissioner or renew,

in so far as aluminum may be the predomi natmg element or power of eficiency.

By comparison wlthother processes for a like purpose, my aluminum process may be said to advantageously difier, or excel, in the following particulars: permanency; eficiency; cheapness; and in artistic appearance. The latter being an advantage of importance from a commercial standpoint.

The use-of the process in the reinforcement of gas mantles results in a maximum oil candle-power hours (due to a. better average of unimpaired condition in the mantle) and l a consequent saving in cost to the consumer.

I claim:

1. An incandescent mantle having a portion of its Walls reinforced with a compound containing metallic aluminum and carbon.

2. An incandescent mantle having a portion of its Walls reinforced by the application thereto of a compound consisting of metallic aluminum and carboniferousgum.

3. An inverted mantle of the incandescent type having in that portion of its Walls en circling the mantle-ring a compound of metallic aluminum and carboniferous gum for the purpose of reinforcement in its attachment thereto.

In testimony vvhereof, l have hereunto set my hand in. the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

' GEORGE T. HADLEY.

' Witnesses:

D. A. Smnwoon, E. H. GREEN.

. Washington, D. El. 

